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Broden EG, Eche-Ugwu IJ, DeCourcey DD, Wolfe J, Hinds PS, Snaman J. "At Least I Can Push this Morphine": PICU Nurses' Approaches to Suffering Among Dying Children. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024; 68:132-141.e2. [PMID: 38679304 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Parents of children who die in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) carry memories of their child's suffering throughout a lifelong grieving experience. Given their prolonged time at the bedside, PICU nurses are poised to attend to dying children's suffering. OBJECTIVES We aimed to explore how PICU nurses identify, assess, and attend to EOL suffering. METHODS Interpretive descriptive qualitative study with thematic analysis of virtual focus groups from a geographically diverse sample of PICU nurses. RESULTS Nurses participated in five focus groups (N = 19). Most identified as White (89%) females (95%) with a range of 1-24 years of PICU experience and involvement in >10 EOL care cases (89%). Nurses described approaches to suffering within five themes: 1) Identifying and easing perceptible elements; 2) Recognizing and responding to subtleties moment-to-moment; 3) Acclimating to family interdependence; 4) Synchronizing nurse in-the-room insight with systemic complexity; and 5) Accounting for ambiguity. Nurses detailed elements of suffering they could "fix" with straightforward, external interventions (e.g., pain medication). More complex tasks like optimizing care within familial and interprofessional team relationships while navigating psychosocial responses from children and families challenged nurses. Nurses attempted to minimize EOL suffering amidst ambiguity and complexity using internal processes including managing the environment and titrating moment-to-moment care. CONCLUSIONS While physical suffering may be remedied with direct nursing care, holistically attending to EOL suffering in the PICU requires both bolstering external processes and strengthening PICU nurses' internal resources. Improving psychosocial training and optimizing interprofessional care systems could better support dying children and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth G Broden
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (E.G.B., J.S.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Massachussetts; National Clinician Scholars Program (E.G.B.), Yale Schools of Medicine and Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - Ijeoma Julie Eche-Ugwu
- Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing and Patient Care Services(I.J.E.U.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachussetts
| | - Danielle D DeCourcey
- Department of Pediatrics (D.D.D., J.W., J.S.), Harvard Medical School Boston, Massachussetts; Division of Medical Critical Care (D.D.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachussetts
| | - Joanne Wolfe
- Department of Pediatrics (D.D.D., J.W., J.S.), Harvard Medical School Boston, Massachussetts; Department of Pediatrics (J.W.), Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachussetts
| | - Pamela S Hinds
- Department of Nursing Science (P.H.), Professional Practice and Quality, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC; Department of Pediatrics (P.H.), The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Jennifer Snaman
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (E.G.B., J.S.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Massachussetts; Department of Pediatrics (D.D.D., J.W., J.S.), Harvard Medical School Boston, Massachussetts
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Moynihan KM, Taylor LS, Siegel B, Nassar N, Lelkes E, Morrison W. "Death as the One Great Certainty": ethical implications of children with irreversible cardiorespiratory failure and dependence on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Front Pediatr 2024; 11:1325207. [PMID: 38274466 PMCID: PMC10808631 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1325207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Advances in medical technology have led to both clinical and philosophical challenges in defining death. Highly publicized cases have occurred when families or communities challenge a determination of death by the irreversible cessation of neurologic function (brain death). Parallels can be drawn in cases where an irreversible cessation of cardiopulmonary function exists, in which cases patients are supported by extracorporeal cardiopulmonary support, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Analysis Two cases and an ethical analysis are presented which compare and contrast contested neurologic determinations of death and refusal to accept the irreversibility of an imminent death by cardiopulmonary standards. Ambiguities in the Uniform Determination of Death Act are highlighted, as it can be clear, when supported by ECMO, that a patient could have suffered the irreversible cessation of cardiopulmonary function yet still be alive (e.g., responsive and interactive). Parallel challenges with communication with families around the limits of medical technology are discussed. Discussion Cases that lead to conflict around the removal of technology considered not clinically beneficial are likely to increase. Reframing our goals when death is inevitable is important for both families and the medical team. Building relationships and trust between all parties will help families and teams navigate these situations. All parties may require support for moral distress. Suggested approaches are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie M. Moynihan
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lisa S. Taylor
- Office of Ethics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Bryan Siegel
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Natasha Nassar
- Clinical and Population Translational Health, Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Efrat Lelkes
- Department of Pediatrics, MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta, ME, United States
| | - Wynne Morrison
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Divisions of Critical Care and Palliative Care, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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McSherry ML, Rissman L, Mitchell R, Ali-Thompson S, Madrigal VN, Lobner K, Kudchadkar SR. Prognostic and Goals-of-Care Communication in the PICU: A Systematic Review. Pediatr Crit Care Med 2023; 24:e28-e43. [PMID: 36066595 DOI: 10.1097/pcc.0000000000003062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Admission to the PICU may result in substantial short- and long-term morbidity for survivors and their families. Engaging caregivers in discussion of prognosis is challenging for PICU clinicians. We sought to summarize the literature on prognostic, goals-of-care conversations (PGOCCs) in the PICU in order to establish current evidence-based practice, highlight knowledge gaps, and identify future directions. DATA SOURCES PubMed (MEDLINE and PubMed Central), EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus. STUDY SELECTION We reviewed published articles (2001-2022) that examined six themes within PGOCC contextualized to the PICU: 1) caregiver perspectives, 2) clinician perspectives, 3) documentation patterns, 4) communication skills training for clinicians, 5) family conferences, and 6) prospective interventions to improve caregiver-clinician communication. DATA EXTRACTION Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis methodology. DATA SYNTHESIS Of 1,420 publications screened, 65 met criteria for inclusion with several key themes identified. Parent and clinician perspectives highlighted the need for clear, timely, and empathetic prognostic communication. Communication skills training programs are evaluated by a participant's self-perceived improvement. Caregiver and clinician views on quality of family meetings may be discordant. Documentation of PGOCCs is inconsistent and most likely to occur shortly before death. Only two prospective interventions to improve caregiver-clinician communication in the PICU have been reported. The currently available studies reflect an overrepresentation of bereaved White, English-speaking caregivers of children with known chronic conditions. CONCLUSIONS Future research should identify evidence-based communication practices that enhance caregiver-clinician PGOCC in the PICU and address: 1) caregiver and clinician perspectives of underserved and limited English proficiency populations, 2) inclusion of caregivers who are not physically present at the bedside, 3) standardized communication training programs with broader multidisciplinary staff inclusion, 4) improved design of patient and caregiver educational materials, 5) the development of pediatric decision aids, and 6) inclusion of long-term post-PICU outcomes as a measure for PGOCC interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L McSherry
- Department of Pediatrics, Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children's Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
| | - Lauren Rissman
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Riley Mitchell
- Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Sherlissa Ali-Thompson
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Vanessa N Madrigal
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University, Washington, DC
- Pediatric Ethics Program, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Katie Lobner
- Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Sapna R Kudchadkar
- Department of Pediatrics, Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children's Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children's Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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Broden EG, Hinds PS, Werner-Lin AV, Curley MAQ. "I Didn't Want My Baby to Pass, But I Didn't Want Him Suffering Either": Comparing Bereaved Parents' Narratives With Nursing End-of-Life Assessments in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. J Hosp Palliat Nurs 2022; 24:271-280. [PMID: 35666188 PMCID: PMC9437116 DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000000884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about how nursing care at the end of a child's life impacts long-term parental bereavement. We aimed to explain, contextualize, and examine comparisons between quantitative trends in children's end-of-life care and parents' qualitative perceptions. We used a mixed methods design, combining quantitative data from the RESTORE clinical trial with qualitative interviews with bereaved parents. Patients who died during RESTORE were included in quantitative analyses. A subset of their parents was interviewed 7 to 11 years later. The quantitative analyses included 104 children. Eight parents were interviewed; 4 had a child die after cancer, and 4 had a child die after a complex chronic illness. Quantitatively, patients' pain and sedation scores were generally comfortable. Children died with multiple invasive devices in place. Parents' descriptions of their child's comfort and critical care requirements differed by illness trajectory (cancer, complex chronic illness). Parents' memories of their child's suffering aligned with peaks in clinical scores, rather than averages. Invasive devices and equipment altered parents' ability to make meaningful final memories with the dying child. Pediatric intensive care clinicians may need to broaden how they attend to dying children's pain and corresponding parental distress, as parents' memories of their dying child's suffering persist for years.
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Swannell C. Hawkes Bay to Boston: life of a paediatric intensivist. Med J Aust 2022; 216:C1-C2. [DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Bailey V, Beke DM, Snaman JM, Alizadeh F, Goldberg S, Smith-Parrish M, Gauvreau K, Blume ED, Moynihan KM. Assessment of an Instrument to Measure Interdisciplinary Staff Perceptions of Quality of Dying and Death in a Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2210762. [PMID: 35522280 PMCID: PMC9077481 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.10762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Lack of pediatric end-of-life care quality indicators and challenges ascertaining family perspectives make staff perceptions valuable. Cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) interdisciplinary staff play an integral role supporting children and families at end of life. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Quality of Dying and Death (PICU-QODD) instrument and examine differences between disciplines and end-of-life circumstances. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional survey included staff at a single center involved in pediatric CICU deaths from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2021. EXPOSURES Staff demographic characteristics, intensity of end-of-life care (mechanical support, open chest, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR]), mode of death (discontinuation of life-sustaining therapy, treatment limitation, comfort care, CPR, and brain death), and palliative care involvement. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES PICU-QODD instrument standardized score (maximum, 100, with higher scores indicating higher quality); global rating of quality of the moment of death and 7 days prior (Likert 11-point scale, with 0 indicating terrible and 10, ideal) and mode-of-death alignment with family wishes. RESULTS Of 60 patient deaths (31 [52%] female; median [IQR] age, 4.9 months [10 days to 7.5 years]), 33 (55%) received intense care. Of 713 surveys (72% response rate), 246 (35%) were from nurses, 208 (29%) from medical practitioners, and 259 (36%) from allied health professionals. Clinical experience varied (298 [42%] ≤5 years). Median (IQR) PICU-QODD score was 93 (84-97); and quality of the moment of death and 7 days prior scores were 9 (7-10) and 5 (2-7), respectively. Cronbach α ranged from 0.87 (medical staff) to 0.92 (allied health), and PICU-QODD scores significantly correlated with global rating and alignment questions. Mean (SD) PICU-QODD scores were more than 3 points lower for nursing and allied health compared with medical practitioners (nursing staff: 88.3 [10.6]; allied health: 88.9 [9.6]; medical practitioner: 91.9 [7.8]; P < .001) and for less experienced staff (eg, <2 y: 87.7 [8.9]; >15 y: 91, P = .002). Mean PICU-QODD scores were lower for patients with comorbidities, surgical admissions, death following treatment limitation, or death misaligned with family wishes. No difference was observed with palliative care involvement. High-intensity care, compared with low-intensity care, was associated with lower median (IQR) rating of the quality of the 7 days prior to death (4 [2-6] vs 6 [4-8]; P = .001) and of the moment of death (8 [4-10] vs 9 [8-10]; P =.001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cross-sectional survey study of CICU staff, the PICU-QODD showed promise as a reliable and valid clinician measure of quality of dying and death in the CICU. Overall QODD was positively perceived, with lower rated quality of 7 days prior to death and variation by staff and patient characteristics. Our data could guide strategies to meaningfully improve CICU staff well-being and end-of-life experiences for patients and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Bailey
- Cardiovascular and Critical Care Nursing Patient Services, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dorothy M. Beke
- Cardiovascular and Critical Care Nursing Patient Services, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer M. Snaman
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Faraz Alizadeh
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sarah Goldberg
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Kimberlee Gauvreau
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elizabeth D. Blume
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Katie M. Moynihan
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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